Phils beat Marlins 6-5 in 12 innings

MIAMI(AP) -- A downpour led to an early exit for Cole Hamels on a
long night for the Philadelphia Phillies. Yet they keep winning,
rain or shine.

Chase Utley hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 12th inning, and
the Phillies extended their winning streak to seven games by
beating the Florida Marlins 6-5 on Friday.

The Phils were up 4-1 when Hamels left after a rain delay of one
hour, 18 minutes midway through the sixth inning.

"The rain killed anything he had going," teammate Jayson Werth
said. "The momentum switched, and they were able to get back in
the game. Pretty soon you look up and it's the 12th inning and
time to make a move."

With the score 4-all, Jimmy Rollins led off the 12th with a
single against Burke Badenhop (5-4), took second on a sacrifice
and came home on Utley's single. Utley advanced on a groundout,
and following an intentional walk, Werth singled home another
run.

Brad Lidge, pitching for the first time in a week, struggled to
earn his 19th save in 25 chances. He walked two and gave up a
run on a wild pitch before Dan Uggla grounded into the final out
with a runner at third at 12:34 a.m.

Asked to describe the game, Phils manager Charlie Manuel said:
"Crazy. We stayed that long, and we won. That was something."

Philadelphia's Chad Durbin allowed the first two batters to
reach in the bottom of the ninth, then retired the next three to
preserve a tie. Florida stranded 13 runners, including seven in
innings seven through nine.

"It was a weird game," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We
just couldn't get that big knock when we needed to."

Clay Condrey (5-2), activated from the disabled list before the
game, allowed one hit in the 11th and got the win.

The Phillies, who have won 11 of their past 12 games, increased
their lead in the NL East to six games over Florida and Atlanta.
The Phils have won seven games in a row in Miami, including five
this season.

"We're playing good," Werth said. "We should continue to play
good baseball and turn it on here down the stretch. I don't
think you've seen the best baseball we've played yet."

Philadelphia improved to 28-15 on the road, best in the majors.

Utley also hit a two-run shot in the first inning for his 21st
homer. Werth and Pedro Feliz had RBI hits in the fourth.

Hamels allowed four hits and threw 52 of his 68 pitches for
strikes but remained winless in five career starts in Miami.

"It would have been nice to get through six or seven innings,"
Hamels said. "Our bullpen has been great all year. Unfortunately
it didn't happen tonight."

The Marlins tied it with two runs in the eighth. Hanley Ramirez
led off with a single, advanced on a groundout and came home on
Ronny Paulino's two-out single. Jeremy Hermida walked against
J.C. Romero, and Durbin gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter
Wes Helms.

Durbin struck out Chris Coghlan with the bases loaded to end the
inning.

Rollins doubled to start the game and scored on Utley's homer
against Ricky Nolasco.

Nolasco pitched six innings and gave up seven hits, including
four in a row in the fourth inning. Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez
singled, Werth hit an RBI single and Feliz doubled home a run
for a 4-1 lead.

Coghlan hit the Marlins' first leadoff first-inning homer of the
season. Pinch-hitter Ross Gload singled home a run in the
seventh, and Paulino hit a two-out RBI single - his third hit -
in the eighth.

"We battled tonight," Helms said. "We fought until the end, and
that's all you can ask for."

NOTES: The Phillies designated RHP Tyler Walker for assignment
to make room for Condrey (left oblique strain) . ... Newly
acquired Philadelphia RHP Pedro Martinez will throw a bullpen
session Saturday in Miami, then report to Class A Clearwater.
... The Phillies' combined one-hitter Thursday was their first
since Sept. 26, 1986, against Montreal. ... Uggla, who is 3 for
23 against Hamels, was held out of the starting lineup. ... The
gametime temperature was 90 degrees.